Tourist Attractions & Monuments South Korea

This sumptuous fortress was built to house the capital within its walls and to offer refuge to the king in case of emergency. It was therefore built under Silla by King Munmu in 672, but its earthen walls were replaced and greatly enlarged from 1612 onwards by Gwanghaegun, in anticipation of a possible Manchu invasion. Thus, in 1624, King Injo gave the order to rebuild this fortress. The monk Byeogam became the commander of the Buddhist armies and helped in the construction with his troops of monks. It was completed in 1626, but work was continued later, from King Sukjong (1674-1720) to King Sunjo (1800-1834). Listed as a World Heritage Site since 2014, this site is very beautiful, especially in spring and autumn, as it is very wooded and fits the relief perfectly. The fortress is very imposing, with its 9.6 km long and 3 to 7 m high stone wall. The main vestiges that can be admired there are the four gates at the four cardinal points, the castle of Suejangdae, located at the top of Mount Iljang as well as the Janggyeongsa temple which served as a refuge for the monks builders.

Cleveradvice . It is recommended that you come here at night to enjoy the magical view of Seoul from the fortress. In addition, restaurants are located in the heart of the fortress, which makes it easy for us to enjoy the place all day long.

In August 2009, the renovation work was completed and Gwanghwamun Square was finally able to rise from the ground. Today, this pedestrian area therefore starts from the Gwanghwamun Gate and leads to the Kyobo Building. Along the way, we will come across two huge statues, which can be found on every postcard in the city: the most important is that of King Sejong the Great (the famous king of Joseon, inventor of the Korean alphabet, 한글) and then that of Admiral Yi SunSin, a national hero for his prowess during the Imjin War (1592-1598).

It is a very beautiful home of a noble family from Joseon. It was built nearly 300 years ago by a member of the Yi family of Jeonju, the original clan of the royal family. This complex of buildings is a rare example of a well-preserved yangban house. Furniture is on display, as well as objects from Joseon's daily life. There is a museum in a small new building that displays some very interesting antique objects, including noble clothes, jewellery, etc. We will not fail to visit this place.

This fortress is located on a hill facing the river and is precisely on the site of the former royal palace of the Kingdom of Baekje. Originally the walls were made of mud, but they were rebuilt in stone (for more solidity) in the 17th century. Most of the visible buildings date from this period with later restorations. The partially restored wall is 2,600 m long. The park is pretty and offers a good walk in the middle of old pavilions. One enters through the west gate. The north gate pavilion, Gongbuknu, built in 1603 on an older site, faces the river. On the other side of the hill, to the east, a small temple, Yeong-eunsa, built in 1458, welcomed in 1616 the monk general who supervised the Buddhist armies throughout the country. The Gwan-illu Sermon Hall was used as a dormitory by the soldier monks in 1592. Opposite, the Manharu Pavilion, built from 1724 to 1726, was destroyed by floods. It was rebuilt in 1982 on the original foundations. Behind it is an old water tank discovered by chance in 1982. Going up to the east, the large Imnyugak Pavilion is located at the top of the hill. It was built under King Dongseong of Baekje (479-501) as a banqueting pavilion and was rebuilt from 1991 to 1993 according to motifs found in tombs in the area. Its foundation stones are the oldest remaining ones from the Baekje kingdom. Not far away are the twelve foundation stones of the provincial governor's building under Silla. One can go to the east gate, Dongmun, and then go up to the south gate. On the way, one will see a pavilion with three stelae (Myeongguksamjangbi) dedicated to the three Chinese generals of the Ming Dynasty who defended the fortress during the Japanese invasions of 1597. These stelae were erected in 1599 and again in 1713 before being buried by the Japanese during the occupation. They had taken care to erase certain characters, such as "Japanese looters", which were engraved on them. They were unearthed in 1945. We arrive at Jinnamnu, the pavilion at the south gate. Above is a pavilion, Ssangsujeong, erected on the site of two trees under which King Injo, who had taken refuge in the fortress, learned of the defeat of the insurrection led by Yi Gwal (1624). The king appointed the two trees as third grade civil servants. A stele was erected below in memory of these events by the governor of the province in 1734.

This village was formed in 1976 when the Andong dam was built. It is made up of old traditional houses in the region that were going to be submerged. There are 10 houses, a Gaeksa (hostel for travel officials) dating back to 1712 and a seokbinggo, a stone cave species where the ice was stored in winter. They kept fish caught in the summer in the river which were then sent to the king. Some houses have been transformed into Korean restaurants. Attention, they close early at night (maximum 21:30).

It was a sacred site, covered with temples and hermitages, palaces and fortresses, Buddhist tombs and statues. There are still many relics from the Silla era (127 temple sites, 87 sculpted Buddhas, 71 stupas). It has recently been added to the UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites. You can walk on this beautiful mountain but if you want to see the statues and bas-reliefs scattered on its slopes, you need to be patient and energetic. Perhaps it's best to walk around randomly....

This temple, located on Geumjeongsan Mountain, was built under Silla by the monk Uisang during the 18th year of King Munmu's reign. As the Japanese pirates threatened the coasts once again, the king had a dream that told him to go to the monk Uisang and pray with him for 7 days and 7 nights on this mountain where there was a gold spring (Geumjeong) in which a fish came down from the sky (beomeo) was swimming. The king did so and, after the 7 days of prayer, warriors came down from heaven and defeated the invaders. The monk then founded in this place the temple which took the name of Beom-eosa. It became a centre of the Hwaeom sect ("Flower Garland") that the monk had introduced from China. The greatest of the masters studied and practiced there. The Geumjeong spring can still be seen on the mountain of the same name, behind the temple; it is located at the top of a rock more than 5 m high in a hollow of 4 m in circumference. The temple flourished until Japanese invaders burned it during the Imjin War (1592-1598). It was rebuilt again in 1614, and the main hall and Iljulmun gate would date from that time.

It is a beautiful temple that is now an active center of Zen meditation (seon). We enter via Iljulmun, one of the temple's treasures. In the courtyard stands a 3-storey stupa from Silla (National Treasury). Upstairs stands the main hall, Daeungjeon, dedicated to the historic Buddha, which dates back to 1614. It houses beautiful paintings dating from the end of Joseon. The woodwork inside is splendid, especially the canopy decorated with dragons. The building, also a National Treasure, is simple, but its old unpainted wood gives it an august look. On the left of the main hall is an original tripartite structure built in 1905, housing an altar to the 16 disciples of the Buddha (Nahanjeon) and another containing the 8 paintings of his life (Palsangjeon). In the temple, many other buildings are used by monks as places of residence, meditation or study and cannot be visited. Nevertheless, this temple is one of the most popular for its temple stay program, during which one lives for a day, like a Buddhist monk. It is a rich and intense cultural experience. On the program, silence, meditation, refreshment and history of the place (on request there is the possibility to have the visit in English). From the temple, hiking trails meander through the mountains.

This beautiful temple is a little difficult to access, but it really deserves the detour because it possesses unique treasures. It was founded in 676 by the monk Uisang of Silla who brought to China the teaching of the Secte sect, «of the flower of flowers». This sect was dominant in Korea for about 5 centuries before being replaced by that of Jogye. Buseoksa, the "floating rock temple" is always the centre of this sect. His name comes from the legend attached to him. To protect it from demons, a rock came float over the main hall when it was built. This calligraphy rock is on the left side of this hall. We climb the temple through a beautiful path lined with trees and apple fields. On the right there were 2 stone mounts that were used to set up a huge pole where flags were flying; this custom that disappeared was practised under Silla. We arrive in a courtyard where 2 pagodas go back to the temple foundation. On the left is a newly built hall of construction where the oldest Buddhist wood paintings in the country are exposed. They represent 2 bodhisattvas and 4 celestial guards, and they date from Goryeo. They were once in the main lobby. There are more old planks of xylogravure, also dating from Goryeo, engraved by the Avatamsaka Avatamsaka ("the flower of flowers") which gave his name to the sect. The higher is another courtyard with residential buildings and a staircase passes under the beautiful flag of the bell to arrive at the superior courtyard. From this place the view on the valley is magnificent. Most of the buildings of this temple miraculously escaped the Japanese destruction. Its main hall Muryangsujeon is thus the oldest wooden structure in the country (some say that it would actually be the small hall Geungnakjeon of the temple Bongjeongsa near Andong, but it is far from being so imposing). He was a golfer in the middle of the th century. It is well preserved and fairly large, but its architecture is rather simple. This hall is not only precious in itself by its ancienneté, but also houses a magnificent golden clay Buddha. Strangely placed against the left wall, he has a magnificent flammes of flames in his back. This Buddha is the only one in this material. Opposite the lobby is a great lantern of Joseon's Stone. The higher on the right is a path to Josadang, the second oldest building in the complex dating back to 1372. He is dedicated to Uisang. Nearby, the Nahanjeon Hall contains 2 Statues stone statues dating from the th century. There is at the entrance of the temple some yeogwans and minbaks, as well as restaurants in a pleasant site. Alternatively, you can sleep in the village of Buseok 4 km lower. There is a clean motel with ondol rooms or 30 000-won bed and restaurants on the main street.

This spring 14 km west of Onyang comes out of the ground at only 40°C. It is famous for its sulphur-rich waters, excellent for fighting anaemia. This small tourist complex is not as urban as Onyang, but it is developed all the same. The site is pleasant, rural. As usual, the best baths are located in large hotels like those in Paradise Dogo; one can also stay in good, cheaper hotels or in a yeogwan.

There are several beaches on the road to Anmyeondo Island which is connected to the coast by a bridge. The largest is Mongsanpo and you will find everything you need to stay and eat.

To the north of Mallipo a small road starts that joins charming little fishing villages. The first one, which is also the largest beach encountered, Cheonllipo, is located in a beautiful protected bay. These villages are much more authentic than the ones you can find near Mallipo, but the beaches are not as clean as the others. It is especially the fishermen who come there in great number, because the place abounds in fish. We have to walk or take a taxi, because there is no bus that takes us there.